Lowell Gets Back On Track With Win Against Tigers

After posting a record of 2-4 in their last six game home stand, the Lowell Spinners wanted to get off to a good start with their three game series against the Connecticut Tigers.

Lowell (15-10) did just that, by defeating the Tigers 7-4 in a back and forth battle with the Spinners pulling away towards the end of the game.

Jose Almonte got the start for Lowell by giving up only three hits and four runs with two strikeouts.

The Tigers took the early lead in the third inning with Steven Fuentes reaching base on a throwing error by Hector Lorenzana. He would come around to score on a sacrifice fly by Josh Lester to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead.

The Spinners would respond the next inning as they scored two runs. Andrew Benintendi had a leadoff walk then Tate Matheny and Victor Acosta both singled which loaded the bases. Mitch Gunsolus then singled to right field, which brought Matheny and Benintendi, giving the Spinners a 2-1 lead.

The Tigers responded by posting three runs in the fifth inning giving them a 4-2 lead. However, the Spinners would counter in the bottom of the fifth inning plating in three runs for themselves. Luis Basabe crushed a home run on a 1-0 count which was his fifth of the season and sparked the Spinner crowd. He is tied for most home runs in the New York Penn League.

With two men on and two outs, Victor Acosta grounded to third, but Josh Lester threw a ball in the dirt, scoring a pair of runs that gave the Spinners a 5-4 lead.

The Spinners would not look back after that inning and scored another two runs in the 7th and 8th inning. They also got strong performances from relief pitchers Matt Kent, Taylor Nunez, and Bobby Poyner who all had scoreless appearances.

There was also plenty of entertainment at Lelacheur Park as the Spinners celebrated NASCAR Night, Mustache Appreciation, and gave away fan favorite as well as the Spinners clubhouse manager, Dogman bobble heads.

Up and coming Nascar racer Jesse Little threw out the first pitch as well as participating in a Nascar themed on field entertainment.

Dogman also took part in a mustache competition where he judged three contestants from the crowd to see who had the best looking mustache. The fan with the best mustache received tickets to the Nascar race this weekend up in New Hampshire.

The Spinners head to Connecticut Thursday night where Dioscar Romero (1-2) gets the start for the 7 P.M. first pitch. The series concludes Friday night at LeLacheur for Taylor Swift Night, Cancer Awareness Night presented by Lahey Health, along with post-game fireworks.